METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING MEDIA STREAM IN REAL TIME

Abstract

 A media stream real-time control method and system, a media resource function controller (MRFC), and a media resource function processor (MRFP) are disclosed. The media stream real-time control method includes these steps: the MRFC receives media stream real-time control information from a user equipment (UE); the MRFC forwards the media stream real-time control information to and/or sends converted media stream real-time control information to the MRFP; and the MRFP exercises real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200710151385.1, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on September 30, 2007 and entitled "Media Stream Real-Time Control Method and System", which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a network communication technology, and in particular, to a media stream real-time control method and system.

Background of the Invention

[0003] An IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) is a subsystem proposed by the Third Generation Partnership Project to support IP multimedia services. The IMS can provide multiple media services, with the control function separated from the bearer capability, calls separated from sessions, applications separated from services, services separated from networks, and mobile network services converged with Internet services. According to the network evolution idea of separation between services and bearers, a function entity that provides media resource services based on the IMS network architecture, for example, a media resource server, may be divided into two key function components: media resource function controller (MRFC) and media resource function processor (MRFP). The MRFC, which is located at the service control layer, is responsible for media deployment and/or control. The MRFP, which is located at the bearer transport layer, is responsible for media processing and/or delivery.

[0004] In a real-time media service, for example, an IP television service, when a user wants to watch a program, the user needs to send a resource allcoation request to the media resource server to process and transfer related media contents, such as creation, modification, deletion, integration, auditing and monitoring of media streams (including media codes, IP addresses and port numbers). In addition, the user may also need to exercise real-time interaction control over the media contents; for example, the user needs to control the play, stop, pause, resumption, fast forward, fast rewind, and recording of the media. In a current IMS-based network architecture, the MRFC can control the MRFP in managing the media resources, including creation, modification, deletion, integration, auditing and monitoring of media streams. However, the MRFC cannot control the MRFP in exercising interactive control over media resources, including play, stop, pause, resumption, fast forward, fast rewind, and recording of the media.

[0005] Thus, during the research of the present invention, the inventor finds at least the following problem in the prior art: In the technical solution of the prior art, the user cannot exercise real-time control over media resources in a network architecture where services are separated from bearers.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a media stream real-time control method and system, a media resource function controller (MRFC), and a media resource function processor (MRFP), so that real-time control may be exercised over media resources in a network architecture where services are separated from bearers.

[0007] The objective of the embodiments is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0008] A media stream real-time control method provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

receiving, by an MRFC, media stream real-time control information from a user equipment (UE);

by the MRFC, forwarding the media stream real-time control information directly to and/or sending converted media stream real-time control information to an MRFP; and

exercising, by the MRFP, real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information.

[0009] A media stream real-time control system provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

an MRFC, adapted to: receive media stream real-time control information from a UE, and forward the media stream real-time control information directly to and/or send converted media stream real-time control information to an MRFP; and

the MRFP, adapted to: receive the media stream real-time control information that the MRFC forwards directly or sends upon conversion, and exercise real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information.

[0010] An MRFC provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a receiving unit, adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from a UE; and

a sending unit, adapted to send the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit to an MRFP.

[0011] Another MRFC provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a receiving unit, adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from a UE;

a converting unit, adapted to convert the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit into media resource control information; and

a sending unit, adapted to send the media resource control information converted by the converting unit to an MRFP.

[0012] An MRFP provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

a receiving unit, adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from an MRFC; and

a processing unit, adapted to exercise real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit.

[0013] In the embodiments of the present invention, the MRFC directly forwards the media stream real-time control information sent from the UE to and/or sends the converted media stream real-time control information to the MRFP to control the MRFP in exercising real-time control over media streams. Thus, a user can exercise real-time control over media streams in a network architecture where services are separated from bearers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] FIG. 1 is a signaling flowchart of a media stream real-time control method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a signaling flowchart of a media stream real-time control method according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a structure of a media stream real-time control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0017] The embodiments of the present invention provide a media stream real-time control method and system, a media resource function controller (MRFC) and a media resource function processor (MRFP). For better understanding of the technical solution of the present invention, the following describes the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a signaling flowchart of a media stream real-time control method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a media real-time control channel is established between the UE and the MRFC to transfer media stream real-time control information, and a media resource control channel is established between the MRFC and the MRFP. The MRFC sends media resource control information to the MRFP through the media resource control channel, and the MRFP controls media streams according to the media resource control information. The media resource control channel may use a request-response mechanism.

[0019] The media stream real-time control process includes the following steps:

[0020] Step 101: The UE sends media stream real-time control information to the MRFC through a media real-time control channel.

[0021] The media real-time control channel is established between the UE and the MRFC, and used for the UE to transmit the media stream real-time control information to the MRFC. The whole media real-time control channel may be located at the service control layer, or bearer transport layer, or at both the service control layer and the bearer transport layer. To transmit the media stream real-time control information, the media real-time control channel may use the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) or the RTSP encapsulated by the SIP.

[0022] The media stream real-time control information may include resource allcoation information, such as creation, modification, deletion, integration, auditing and monitoring of media streams and any combination of parameters thereof, and interactive operation related control information, such as play, stop, pause, resumption, fast forward, fast rewind and recording of media streams and any combination of parameters thereof.

[0023] Step 102: The MRFC converts the received media stream real-time control information into media resource control information.

[0024] The step of converting the received media stream real-time control information into media resource control information by the MRFC includes:

[0025] A. The MRFC parses the received media stream real-time control information, and differentiates resource allcoation information and/or interactive operation related control information;

[0026] B. The MRFC converts the resource allcoation information and/or interactive operation related control information into media resource control information.

[0027] Step 103: The MRFC sends the media resource control information to the MRFP through a media resource control channel.

[0028] The media resource control channel is established between the MRFC and the MRFP for transferring the media resource control information, and may use the request-response mechanism. The media resource control channel may use a gateway control protocol, for example, the H.248.

[0029] Step 104: The MRFP exercises real-time control over media streams according to the received media resource control information.

[0030] The MRFP performs resource allocation on media streams according to the differentiated resource allcoation information, and performs an interactive operation on media streams according to the differentiated interactive operation related control information.

[0031] In this embodiment, the media resource control channel between the MRFC and the MRFP may be used to transmit other media resource control information besides media stream real-time control information, such as creation, modification, deletion, integration, auditing, and monitoring of media streams related to IP voice services, which is the same as the prior art and will not be further described.

[0032] In this embodiment, the media resource control channel is established between the MRFC and the MRFP to transmit media stream real-time control information and other media resource control information.

[0033] In addition, an interactive operation control channel may also be established between the MRFC and the MRFP to transmit media stream real-time control information and other media resource control information. The interactive operation control channel uses the RTSP or the RTSP encapsulated by the H.248. The MRFC forwards the received media stream real-time control information to the MRFP through the interactive operation control channel. Then, the MRFP exercises real-time control over media streams according to the received media stream real-time control information. The interactive operation control channel may be used to transmit other media resource control information besides media stream real-time control information.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a media stream real-time control method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a media real-time control channel is established between the UE and the MRFC to transmit media stream real-time control information, and a media resource control channel and an interactive operation control channel are established between the MRFC and the MRFP. The MRFC sends resource allcoation related control information to the MRFP through the media resource control channel, and sends interactive operation related control information to the MRFP through the interactive operation control channel.

[0035] The media resource real-time control process includes the following steps:

[0036] Step 201: The UE sends media stream real-time control information to the MRFC through a media real-time control channel.

[0037] The media real-time control channel is established between the UE and the MRFC, and is used by the UE for transmitting a media stream real-time control request to the MRFC. The whole media real-time control channel may be located at the service control layer, or bearer transport layer, or at both the service control layer and the bearer transport layer. To transmit media stream real-time control information, the media real-time control channel may use the RTSP, the SIP, or the RTSP encapsulated by the SIP.

[0038] The media stream real-time control information may include resource allcoation information, such as creation, modification, deletion, integration, auditing and monitoring of media streams and any combination of parameters thereof, and interactive operation related control information, such as play, stop, pause, resumption, fast forward, fast rewind and recording of media streams and any combination of parameters thereof.

[0039] Step 202: The MRFC parses the received media stream real-time control information, differentiates resource allcoation related control information and/or interactive operation related control information, and converts the resource allcoation related control information into media resource control information.

[0040] Step 203: The MRFC sends the converted media resource control information to the MRFP through a media resource control channel, and forwards the interactive operation related control information to the MRFP through an interactive operation control channel.

[0041] The media resource control channel is established between the MRFC and the MRFP to transmit the media resource control information which is obtained by converting the resource allcoation related control information, and may use the request-response mechanism. The media resource control channel may use a gateway control protocol, for example, the H.248.

[0042] The interactive operation control channel is established between the MRFC and the MRFP to transmit the interactive operation related control information in the media stream real-time control information, and may use the request-response mechanism. The interactive operation control channel uses the RTSP or RTSP encapsulated by the H.248.

[0043] Step 204: The MRFP exercises real-time control over media streams according to the received media stream real-time control information.

[0044] In this embodiment, the media resource control channel between the MRFC and the MRFP may be used to transmit other media resource control information besides media stream real-time control information, such as creation, modification, deletion, integration, auditing, and monitoring of media streams related to IP voice services, which is the same as the prior art and will not be further described.

[0045] In this embodiment, the media stream real-time control information and other media resource control information may be transmitted through mutual cooperation between two channels (including a media resource control channel and an interactive operation control channel) established between the MRFC and the MRFP.

[0046] In addition, the media stream real-time control information and other media resource control information may also be transmitted through either of the two channels (including a media resource control channel and an interactive operation control channel) established between the MRFC and the MRFP. The interactive operation control channel uses the RTSP or RTSP encapsulated by the H.248. The media resource control channel uses a gateway control protocol, for example, the H.248. The MRFC forwards the received media stream real-time control information to the MRFP through the interactive operation control channel, and the MRFP exercises real-time control over media streams according to the received media stream real-time control information; the MRFC sends other received media resource control information to the MRFP through the media resource control channel, and the MRFP controls media streams according to the received media resource control information.

[0047] It is understandable to those skilled in the art that all or part of the steps in the preceding embodiments may be implemented by hardware instructed by a program. The program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or a compact disk (CD).

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a structure of a media stream real-time control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The media stream real-time control system includes a media resource function controller (MRFC) 31 and a media resource function processor (MRFP) 32.

[0049] The MRFC 31 is adapted to: receive media stream real-time control information from a UE, and forward the media stream real-time control information directly to and/or send converted media stream real-time control information to the MRFP 32. The MRFP 32 is adapted to: receive the media stream real-time control information from the MRFC 31, and exercise real-time control over media streams according to the received media stream real-time control information.

[0050] The MRFC 31 includes a receiving unit 311, a parsing unit 312, a converting unit 313, an encapsulating unit 314, and a sending unit 315.

[0051] The receiving unit 311 is adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from the UE; the parsing unit 312 is adapted to: parse the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit 311, and differentiate resource allcoation related control information and/or interactive operation related control information; the converting unit 313 is adapted to convert the resource allcoation related control information obtained by the parsing unit 312 through parsing into media resource control information; the encapsulating unit 314 is adapted to encapsulate the media resource control information that the converting unit 313 obtains by converting the resource allcoation related control information, and/or the interactive operation related control information that the parsing unit 312 obtains through parsing over a gateway control protocol (for example, the H.248), or the RTSP; and the sending unit 315 is adapted to send the resource allcoation control information and/or interactive operation related control information encapsulated by the encapsulating unit to the MRFP 32.

[0052] The MRFC 31 may send the resource allcoation control information and/or interactive operation related control information to the MRFP 32 through a media resource control channel, which uses a media gateway control protocol.

[0053] The MRFC 31 may also send the resource allcoation control information and/or interactive operation related control information to the MRFP 32 through an interactive operation control channel, which uses RTSP or RTSP encapsulated by the media gateway control protocol.

[0054] The MRFC 31 may also send the resource allcoation control information to the MRFP 32 through the media resource control channel, and send the interactive operation related control information to the MRFP 32 through the interactive operation control channel. The media resource control channel uses a media gateway control protocol, and the interactive operation control channel uses the RTSP or RTSP encapsulated by the media gateway control protocol.

[0055] The MRFP 32 includes a receiving unit 321 and a processing unit 322. The receiving unit 321 is adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from the MRFC 31. The processing unit 322 is adapted to exercise real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit 321.

[0056] The MRFC may also include a receiving unit and a sending unit only. The receiving unit is adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from the UE. The sending unit is adapted to forward the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit to the MRFP. In addition, the MRFC may further include an encapsulating unit, adapted to encapsulate control information before being sent by the sending unit over a gateway control protocol (for example, the H.248) or the RTSP.

[0057] The MRFC may also include a receiving unit, a converting unit, and a sending unit only. The receiving unit is adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from the UE. The converting unit is adapted to: convert the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit into media resource control information, and send the media resource control information to the MRFP through the sending unit. In addition, the MRFC may further include an encapsulating unit, adapted to encapsulate control information before being sent by the sending unit over a gateway control protocol (for example, the H.248) or the RTSP.

[0058] According to the media stream real-time control method and system, MRFC, and MRFP provided in the embodiments of the present invention, the MRFC directly forwards the media stream real-time control information from the UE to and/or send the converted media stream real-time control information to the MRFP to control the MRFP in exercising real-time control over media streams. Thus, the real-time control on media streams may be implemented in a network architecture where services are separated from bearers.

[0059] Further, the MRFC receives the media stream real-time control information from the UE and controls the MRFP on a unified basis, and the MRFC is located at the service layer. Thus, the real-time control over media streams is exercised at the service layer, which simplifies the process of implementing functions of the MRFC and MRFP.

[0060] Detailed above are a media stream real-time control method and system provided by the present invention. The present invention is described through some exemplary embodiments, which are used for better understanding of the technical solution provided in the present invention. It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. In conclusion, the contents of the specifications are not intended to limit the present invention.

Claims

1. A media stream real-time control method, comprising:

receiving, by a media resource function controller (MRFC), media stream real-time control information from a user equipment (UE);

by the MRFC, forwarding the media stream real-time control information directly to and/or sending converted media stream real-time control information to a media resource function processor (MRFP); and

exercising, by the MRFP, real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the MRFC receives the media stream real-time control information from the UE through a media real-time control channel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the media real-time control channel uses the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), or RTSP encapsulated by SIP.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sending, by the MRFC, the converted media stream real-time control information to the MRFP comprises:

by the MRFC, parsing the media stream real-time control information, and differentiating resource allcoation information and/or interactive operation related control information;

by the MRFC, converting the resource allcoation information into media resource control information, and sending the media resource control information to the MRFP; and

forwarding, by the MRFC, the interactive operation related control information to the MRFP.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the MRFC sends the media resource control information to the MRFP through a media resource control channel.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the MRFC forwards the interactive operation related control information to the MRFP through an interactive operation control channel.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the resource allcoation information comprises creation, modification, deletion, integration, auditing and monitoring of media streams and any combination of parameters thereof, and the interactive operation related control information comprises play, stop, pause, resumption, fast forward, fast rewind, and recording of media streams and any combination of parameters thereof.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sending, by the MRFC, the converted media stream real-time control information to the MRFP comprises:

by the MRFC, converting the media stream real-time control information into media resource control information, and sending the media resource control information to the MRFP.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the MRFC sends the media stream real-time control information to the MRFP through a media resource control channel.

10. The method of claim 5 or 9, wherein the media resource control channel uses a gateway control protocol.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of forwarding, by the MRFC, the media stream real-time control information directly to the MRFP comprises:

forwarding, by the MRFC, the media stream real-time control information to the MRFP through an interactive operation control channel.

12. The method of claim 6 or 11, wherein the interactive operation control channel uses the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) or RTSP encapsulated by a gateway control protocol.

13. A media stream real-time control system, comprising:

a media resource function controller (MRFC), adapted to: receive media stream real-time control information from a user equipment (UE), and forward the media stream real-time control information directly to and/or send converted media stream real-time control information to a media resource function processor (MRFP); and

the MRFP, adapted to: receive the media stream real-time control information that the MRFC forwards directly or sends upon conversion, and exercise real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information.

14. A media resource function controller (MRFC), comprising:

a receiving unit, adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from a user equipment (UE); and

a sending unit, adapted to send the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit to a media resource function processor (MRFP).

15. The MRFC of claim 14, further comprising:

a parsing unit, adapted to: parse the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit, and differentiate resource allcoation information and/or interactive operation related control information, wherein:

the sending unit sends the interactive operation related control information to the MRFP.

16. The MRFC of claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

an encapsulating unit, adapted to encapsulate the media stream real-time control information sent by the sending unit over a gateway control protocol or a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).

17. A media resource function controller (MRFC), comprising:

a receiving unit, adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from a user equipment (UE);

a converting unit, adapted to convert the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit into media resource control information; and

a sending unit, adapted to send the media resource control information converted by the converting unit to a media resource function processor (MRFP).

18. The MRFC of claim 17, further comprising:

a parsing unit, adapted to: parse the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit, and differentiate resource allcoation information and/or interactive operation related control information, wherein:

the converting unit converts, through parsing into media resource control information, the resource allcoation information obtained by the parsing unit; and

the sending unit sends the interactive operation related control information obtained by the parsing unit and the media resource control information converted by the converting unit to the MRFP.

19. The MRFC of claim 17 or 18, further comprising:

an encapsulating unit, adapted to encapsulate the media stream real-time control information sent by the sending unit over a gateway control protocol or the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP).

20. A media resource function processor (MRFP), comprising:

a receiving unit, adapted to receive media stream real-time control information from a media resource function controller (MRFC); and

a processing unit, adapted to exercise real-time control over media streams according to the media stream real-time control information received by the receiving unit.

Drawing